KENYA (CU)_ – Cassava is said to have been introduced to Africa by Portuguese traders possibly from Brazil. The plant was referred to as a famine-reserve crop and was seen as a stable and currently a crop that is believed to be consumed by over half a billion Africans as both the cassava yam and leave are considered delicacies in Africa and across the world. In spite the relative stability of this crop, cassava is vulnerable to cassava mosaic disease and Cassava Brown Streak disease. Kenyan government officials recently hailed the success of genetically modified disease resistant cassava, which was approved by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) of Kenya, an organization that monitors and regulates genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
At an event, organized by ISAAA AfriCenter and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) the participants stated that they observed a difference in performance and vigor between disease-resistant genetically modified cassava and normal varieties. Professor Ratemo Michieka, the chairperson of the National Research Fund and Board Member of ISAAA AfriCenter commended the scientists who led the developing of the crop together with the National Biosafety Authority.
The developed GM cassava was given the green light for environmental release and is now awaiting approval from the National Environment Management Authority to move to the national performance trials. The common consumption of cassava across Africa makes the need for its protection significant as cassava has many health benefits such as reducing blood pressure, prevents malnutrition and promoting wound healing however its presence of hydrocyanic acid requires it to be heated prior to its consumption and preferably consumed with a mix of proteins.
Cassava brown streak disease is a viral disease prevalent among East Africa and made the headlines in the 1930s when large proportions of cassava was being lost due to the disease. Plant diseases have been a common menace for farmers and the agricultural sector to which monocultures have often been blamed.
